Senior Quantity Surveyor - Helensburgh

Balfour Beatty; Helensburgh; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international infrastructure and construction group is seeking a Senior Quantity Surveyor in Helensburgh to manage costs and income for major civil engineering projects. The ideal candidate will have a BSc/MSc in Quantity Surveying and experience in the civil infrastructure sectors. Responsibilities include leading commercial control, preparing cost reports, and mentoring a team. This role offers opportunities for professional growth and involvement in transformative projects with significant community impact.

Benefits

Smart working flexibility

25 days paid annual leave

Family friendly policies

Pension and share incentive plan

Qualifications

• Chartered or working towards MRCIS/MCInstCES/MCIOB.
• Extensive experience in civil/infrastructure sectors.
• CSCS Card (Professionally Qualified Person) required.

Responsibilities

• Lead commercial and contractual control across complex civil engineering elements.
• Prepare and maintain cost reporting systems and manage forecasts.
• Conduct risk assessments, value engineering, and manage claims.

Skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation skills

Stakeholder engagement

Education

BSc or MSc in Quantity Surveying

Tools

NEC contract management

JCT contract management

Job description

About the role

Job Title: Senior Quantity Surveyor (Civil Engineering)

Work Location: Project/office-based in the West of Scotland - Central Belt (including Glasgow, Dumbarton, Inverclyde, Argyle), in line with the Company's flexible working policies

Geographical Focus: West of Scotland, with opportunities to work on major infrastructure and civil engineering projects across the region

Project Type: Civil Engineering

Company: Balfour Beatty Group

About Balfour Beatty in Scotland: Balfour Beatty is a leading international infrastructure and construction group, delivering regeneration and driving commercial excellence across Scotland. Our projects underpin daily life, support communities, and enable economic growth. In the West of Scotland, we are at the forefront of transformative engineering initiatives, such as the redevelopment of the former ExxonMobil site in Bowling, major highways, rail infrastructure, and large-scale civil engineering works.

Purpose of the Role

As a Senior Quantity Surveyor, you will manage all costs and income within your area of responsibility, minimising project costs and maximising value for money, while ensuring the highest standards and quality. You will typically be a Chartered Member of RICS, ICES, or CIOB, and have experience leading and mentoring a team. You will play a key role in delivering high-profile civil engineering projects that connect communities and create lasting social value.

What you'll be doing

Key Responsibilities

Commercial & Contractual Management

• Lead commercial and contractual control across complex civil engineering elements (e.g., earthworks, highways, rail interfaces, major infrastructure)
• Prepare and maintain cost reporting systems, manage forecasts, and ensure budget alignment
• Oversee subcontract procurement and administration, ensuring high-value procurement and adherence to subcontract terms
• Conduct risk assessments, value engineering, and manage claims, costs, and contractual risk proactively

Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with Project Management, Transport Scotland, West Dunbartonshire Council, Network Rail, and other key stakeholders to ensure seamless project execution

Team Leadership & Development

• Manage and mentor a small team of commercial staff, supporting recruitment, supervision, and professional development
• Provide guidance and feedback to less experienced team members, supporting their journey to professional qualification

Governance & Reporting

• Adhere to company governance requirements and promote LEAN/digital opportunities
• Prepare internal reports, commercial progress updates, and financial reconciliations for senior project staff

Who we're looking for

Required Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• BSc or MSc in Quantity Surveying or equivalent knowledge (civil engineering background highly desirable)
• Chartered or working towards MRCIS/MCInstCES/MCIOB
• CSCS Card (Professionally Qualified Person)
• Extensive experience in civil/infrastructure sectors (earthworks, highways, rail, etc.)
• Proficient with NEC or JCT contract management, contract law, procurement, and variation processes
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills

Progression & Development Opportunities

At Balfour Beatty, you will join a well‑established construction team with a significant pipeline of prominent civil engineering projects in the West of Scotland. You will work with true experts who will share their knowledge and provide support, encouragement, and invaluable feedback so you never stop learning. The company offers:

• Clear career progression pathways, with opportunities to advance to Managing QS, Commercial Manager, or other senior roles
• Access to training programmes, construction academy initiatives, and professional development resources
• The chance to work on flagship projects that deliver long‑term economic and community value
• A culture that values collaboration, continuous improvement, and making a difference in local communities

Behaviours

• Talk Positively
• Collaborate Relentlessly
• Encourage Constantly
• Make a Difference
• Value Everyone

Professional and personal development

The size and scale of Balfour Beatty coupled with our strong pipeline of work provides incredible opportunities, regardless of what stage you are at in your career.

We encourage and empower our employees to take control of their career and explore which part of the business they want to work in and what role is right for them. We actively encourage our managers and employees to have open communication throughout the year about wellbeing, development and career opportunities.

We're proud of the Balfour Beatty Academy. Whether it's sharpening your technical expertise, improving your personal skills or seeking support to become professionally qualified, our 70:20:10 approach to development means we have a learning approach that suits everyone.

70% learning on the job, 20% learning from those around you, and 10% formal training courses and learning events.

For further information about Balfour Beatty

www.balfourbeatty.com/careers

You can also check out further job opportunities in the careers section

Day in, day out, our teams deliver some of the UK's most ambitious, exciting and meaningful projects; developing, building and maintaining the vital infrastructure that supports national economies and strengthens communities.

Why join us?

As if contributing to and supporting work that makes life better for millions wasn't rewarding enough, we offer a full range of benefits too. You'll have the freedom to shape the package that's right for you and your life. Here are some of our key benefits:

• Smart working, giving you more flexibility such as staggered start and finish times, with up to 40% remote working, where roles allow.
• 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata)
• Family friendly policies which include 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partners leave
• Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more...

About us

From Dunfermline's tramways in 1909 to highland hospitals today, Balfour Beatty has been trusted for over a century to deliver the complex and critical infrastructure and iconic buildings Scotland relies on.

We have the people, knowledge and experience to safely deliver projects right first time, maximising value for money and ensuring a positive social impact and inclusive economic growth for local communities.

Our award‑winning sustainable projects, including active travel, Passivhaus and retrofit, demonstrate our commitment to supporting Scotland's transition towards net zero in the built environment.

Diversity and inclusion

At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. To find out how we are making this a reality, visit www.balfourbeatty.com/diversityandinclusion

To help and support us with our desired commitment to create an inclusive culture we are members of WISE, ENEI, Business Disability Forum and the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE). In 2020, we signed the Audeliss and Involve Open Letter to demonstrate our commitment to taking key long‑term and sustainable actions on Black Inclusion. Balfour Beatty is also a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence 'Employer Recognition Scheme' and actively encourage applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long‑term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We are also committed to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role. For more info, visit https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/

We are looking to continually improve our resourcing process and ensure that it is fair and inclusive for all. If you have any feedback on the process, please share this with us at [e-mail]